The National College Attainment Network (NCAN) is thrilled to announce its 2025 Advisory Task Force!
Comprised of 25 innovative leaders from across the country in various sectors of college attainment, Advisory Task Force members range from direct student service in the secondary space to the corridors of higher education, as well as private scholarship
foundations, nonprofit organizations to state agencies. NCAN created this space to bring our members together monthly to share ideas, solve problems, and recognize trends.
Task Force members provide NCAN with real time knowledge of the conditions, obstacles, and victories our members are experiencing across the nation. Their feedback is used to identify, vet, and curate the most relevant resources and professional development
opportunities for all our members. We sincerely thank each of them for their dedication to students and the industry.
Daniel Barkowitz AVP Student Financial Assistance & Employment University of Miami Coral Gables, FL
Daniel T. Barkowitz is the Assistant Vice President of Financial Assistance and Employment at the University of Miami (Miami, FL). He has served 35 years in higher education institutions. Barkowitz has held various volunteer roles
with NASFAA (National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators), SASFAA (Southern Region), EASFAA (Eastern Region), FASFAA (Florida), and MASFAA (Massachusetts), including past president of SASFAA for 2024-25, past president of the Florida
Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (FASFAA) and the inaugural chair of the NASFAA's Commission of the Certified Financial Aid Administrator (CFAA) Program.
Barkowitz also served as the primary negotiator for financial aid administrators in the 2021 Federal Negotiated Rulemaking. He holds the Financial Aid Administrator, Certified designation. Daniel is a recipient of FASFAA’s Distinguished Service Award,
MASFAA's Presidential Award, two-time recipient of FASFAA’s President’s Recognition Award, two-time recipient of MIT's Dean of Undergraduate Education Infinite Mile Award, and the recipient of Florida College Access Network's (FCAN) Top Influencer
Award. Barkowitz earned his bachelor's degree in history from Northeastern University (Boston, MA) and his Master’s of Education in Human Resource Education from Boston University (Boston, MA). He earned a certificate in professional fundraising
from Boston University. He is a published poet, musical theater actor, and tarot card designer and collector. Barkowitz has two adult children and an adorable fur-baby.
Ryane Boyd Associate Director of College Success DC Prep Washington, DC
With over ten years of experience in college access and success work, Ryane Boyd is a dedicated student advocate who is passionate about helping students navigate the complexities of their postsecondary journeys. As the Associate Director of College Success
at PrepNext, a DC Prep Alumni program, she leads the college success program initiatives to guide and ensure students reach their full potential.
Her commitment to this work is personal. As a first-generation college graduate,
Boyd overcame her fair share of financial barriers throughout her own postsecondary experience. Through resilience and determination, she earned a bachelor’s degree in English studies from the University of Missouri at Columbia and a master’s degree
in diversity and equity in education from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.
Boyd’s commitment to supporting underrepresented students began with her work with the College Advising Corps, where she served as a founding
advisor in the St. Louis Public School District. She uses a data-driven, holistic, student-centered approach to support her students. Boyd combines her lived experiences with acquired knowledge to advocate for equitable education, empower students,
and create inclusive spaces for them to thrive.
Andrea Glenn is Arizona Department of Education’s (ADE) first Director of Postsecondary and Community Engagement, joining the team in June 2020. Prior to her work at ADE, Glenn began her work in the field of education upon graduating
from Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ) and then being accepted into Teach for America as a high school English teacher. She has over 17 years of experience in education, 12 of them specifically helping first-generation students get to and through
college. Glenn is excited to work at ADE in her role and help bring schools, districts, and postsecondary organizations together to best support our pre-K through 20 students.
With a doctorate degree from the University of Utah (Salt Lake City, UT) and a master's of business administration degree from Utah State University (Logan, UT), Richard Gonzalez has dedicated his career to higher education. He proudly
serves as the Assistant Commissioner for Access at the Utah System of Higher Education, working to make education accessible to all. In addition, he also serves as board president for the Utah Jump$tart Coalition, a nonprofit organization that advocates
for general financial literacy education for K-12 youth.
The intersectionality of identities which include first-generation college student, low-income upbringing, son of immigrant parents, alternative high school graduate, and adult learner student inform his perspective as a higher education professional
and researcher. His research interests are mostly focused on adult learners and enrollment management practices. When not in the office, you can find Gonzalez in the great outdoors, fueling his love for camping and perfecting his yard. But his
true joy is grilling carne asada with family and friends, savoring those moments that truly matter.
Tyler Guenette serves as the chief of staff for the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN). In this role, he works on the Executive Leadership team and assists all departments to provide support and thought partnership, and to identify
opportunities that can advance MCAN’s strategic plan.
Guenette is a proud first-generation college student, whose parents told him they expected him to go to college, even though they didn't know what that meant or entailed. Guenette received his bachelor's degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,
his master’s degree from Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI), and his doctorate degree from Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD).
A proud citizen of the Northern Cheyenne Nation, Tiffany Gusbeth has spent 10 years at the American Indian College Fund dedicated to advancing Native student success. In her role, Gusbeth leads the development and implementation of comprehensive
student support systems, including scholarships, college access, career readiness, student engagement, and strategic enrollment management. She also oversees the creation of a student and program management database to better serve Native students'
needs. Gusbeth's leadership is guided by a deep commitment to ensuring that these initiatives are culturally relevant and respectful to the communities she serves.
As a first-generation college student, Gusbeth’s educational journey has been shaped by resilience and determination. Her experiences as a GED graduate and a student at a Tribal College or University (TCU) provide Gusbeth with a unique perspective and
a deep understanding of the challenges faced by Native students navigating higher education. These experiences have fueled her passion for ensuring that Native students receive the support they need to succeed academically and culturally.
Dr. Gerrick J. Hampton is the Associate Director for the Office of Student Affairs at the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE). Hampton earned his bachelor’s degree and Master’s of Business Administration from Winthrop
University (Rock Hill, SC), and his doctorate degree at Nova Southeastern University (Fort Lauderdale, FL). He currently manages the LIFE & SC HOPE Scholarship Programs, the Lottery Tuition Assistance program, and the South Carolina Residency
Program. In addition, he also oversees the CHE College Access Programs: College Application Month, College Goal South Carolina and College Decision Day. Hampton has been with CHE for 14 years. His work in college access focuses on helping students
identify institutions of higher education that may best suit their needs and accessing funding to assist with their education.
Patti B. Harris is the director of GEAR UP NC, a federally funded grant designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. Harris develops and oversees statewide programming
and college access initiatives, builds and sustains relationships with national and local community partners to leverage support for GEAR UP related activities, and manages external partnerships to enhance student success at secondary and post-secondary
levels. With over 15 years of experience in college access and higher education, starting in undergrad as a work-study student in financial aid, to serving as a college adviser to rural high school students, to becoming the first director of the NC
State College Advising Corps, Harris remains committed to ensuring all students have the greatest opportunity to upward mobility.
A first-generation college student, Harris earned her M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC) and her bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Ann Helfman Senior Director of Continuous Improvement and College Access New Tech Network Bozeman, MT
As Senior Director of Continuous Improvement and College Access at New Tech Network (NTN), Ann Helfman leads continuous improvement and college access coaching efforts and the design of learning experiences for NTN College Access schools and districts
with the aim of improving outcomes in college enrollment, persistence, and attainment for students of color and students experiencing poverty.
Helfman developed her passion for college access and success through her work in the greater Boston area at Citizen Schools, City on a Hill Charter Public High School, and Crimson Summer Academy. In 2010, Helfman joined Bottom Line, an organization that
supports underrepresented students to and through college. There, she first served as a Senior College Counselor, working with a caseload of high school and college students, and went on to lead Bottom Line’s College Access Program in Massachusetts.
She has also served as the New England College Access Director for Let’s Get Ready, leading their efforts to serve 1,100 high school students from 20 historically underserved communities across New England with near-peer mentoring, SAT prep, and college
advising. Prior to joining NTN, she served as the Director of Operations for the College and Alumni Program (CAP), a program of Making Waves Foundation that provides need-based scholarships, one-on-one coaching, and financial advising to Bay Area
college students. Helfman earned an undergraduate degree in Government and Economics from Harvard College (Cambridge, MA) and a M.Ed. from Lesley University (Cambridge, MA).
As a Program Manager for DCAN, Ashley Lane-Barrett manages city-wide college access and success programming
and supports all Detroit public and charter school counselors and advisors. She also leads DCAN's Skilled Trades initiatives, ensuring college access professionals, students and families have knowledge and exposure to all postsecondary pathways.
Lane-Barrett is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and a recipient of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation scholarship. She currently serves as a Michigan ACT Council Member and is part of the inaugural cohort of the Change Collective,
a national leadership network that empowers and enables local changemakers to solve problems at the community level.
Michael LeeYow Managing Director/Head of Programs Bottom Line Brooklyn, NY
In his role as Managing Director of Programs for Bottom Line New York, LeeYow leads the strategic vision and implementation of the core program models (College Access, College Success, and Career Connections). LeeYow has
a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and African American studies from the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA). He has been an educator for over 20 years in four major cities. Since graduating, he has been a recognized educational leader, working
in marginalized communities in Philadelphia, PA, Oakland, CA, Chicago, IL and eventually back to New York, NY in 2015. Over the years, LeeYow has been the recipient of various awards including the New York City Department of Education D79 Superintendent’s
Recognition Award, former Congressman Chaka Fattah’s Men Making a Difference Award, and has sat on a variety of advisory boards and steering committees.
Rachel Livingston Chief Program Officer Fulfillment Fund Los Angeles, CA
Livingston’s 30-year career in education spans teaching, college counseling, and administration at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in the Los Angeles, CA, area. In her current role, Livingston leads all programmatic activities,
overseeing Fulfillment Fund’s College Access and College Success programs. Known for her data-driven approach to decision-making, she has built positive school cultures and developed strategies to help under-resourced students achieve academic success,
pursue success in college and launch their careers.
A nationally recognized trainer, Livingston is passionate about educational equity and youth mental health as well as building positive and supportive workplace cultures. She has received acclaim for her leadership in college counseling across the Los
Angeles Unified School District and several charter school networks.
Katie Lovera Assistant Director of College Advising I Know I Can Columbus, OH
Katie Lovera is a dynamic professional committed to creating inclusive, strategic, and data-driven solutions in higher education, with a proven track record of achieving recruitment goals and advancing diversity initiatives. She is passionate
about working with high school students to fulfill their goal of achieving a college education. In her current role, Lovera serves as the Assistant Director of College Advising at I Know I Can, Ohio’s first college access program and a founding member
of NCAN. Katie holds a Master’s of Science in Education in College Student Personnel as well as a bachelor's degree in Political Science, both from the University of Dayton (Dayton, OH). She has nearly two decades of progressive experience in enrollment
management at both public and private universities as well as dual enrollment coordination for a public K-12 school district.
Gina Moraida brings over a decade of expertise in college access and nonprofit work to her role as Associate, RGV FOCUS at Educate Texas. Passionate about helping students achieve their educational dreams, she equips Rio Grande Valley
counselors and advisors with the financial aid training and resources they need to succeed. Moraida also supports TxCAN's mission by maintaining dynamic digital communication and assisting its leadership team in delivering impactful initiatives. Before
joining Educate Texas, she was part of the College Advising Corps, spearheading mission-critical projects that enhanced student impact nationwide.
Outside of her professional life, you’ll find her planning unforgettable vacations for her travel clients or creating core memories with family and friends. Whether discovering new destinations or empowering communities, Moraida is driven by a commitment
to growth, connection, and adventure.
Debbie Nguyen is the Executive Director of the Alray Scholars Program, a nonprofit organization with the mission of reducing barriers to degree attainment for returning adult college students in Boston, MA. Immediately prior to Alray Scholars Programs,
Nguyen was the Chief of Staff at Foster America, a national organization focused on improving the foster care system. She also has provided strategy consulting to nonprofits and foundations, designed and implemented college access and success programming
for first-generation college students, and coached youth aging out of foster care on securing and maintaining employment. Outside of her full-time work, Nguyen volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boston Tax Help Coalition, and Girls Aspire.
She also serves on the Board of Directors of local nonprofits Building Audacity and Root Cause. Nguyen is a proud alumna of Brockton Public Schools (MA), Swarthmore College (Swarthmore, PA), and Harvard Graduate School of Education (Boston, MA).
As the Program Specialist for Four Year Partnerships at CollegeTracks, Bijal Parikh develops strategic partnerships with key personnel from major Maryland public and private universities as well as local businesses to support first generation,
low-income and immigrant students’ college persistence, degree completion and career pathway goals. In her almost 20 years of experience as a social work program manager and director, she has specialized in developing and managing direct service programs
to advance education equity in the most vulnerable communities.
Parikh hails from New York (NY) where she spent over 10 years in advertising and direct marketing before graduating from Columbia University with a master’s degree in Social Work. She has advocated for immigrant survivors of trafficking and abuse, supported
transition planning for court involved youth aging out of the foster care system, implemented parenting programming for female inmates, and managed a wraparound support program for DC-area high school students. When she is not advocating for first
generation college students, she enjoys going on adventures, keeping up with pop culture with her three teenagers, and occasionally enjoying a quiet moment with a good book.
Kayla Ritter Rickels serves as a Postsecondary Leadership Coach, working with district leaders and collective impact partners to develop postsecondary cultures of success for all students. With a set of values rooted in the belief that
education is liberation, she has dedicated her career to the creation of enabling conditions for equity in exploration, access, and attainment of a postsecondary credential.
She began her career in college admissions and enrollment management and has moved through the college access non-profit, K-12 school district, and education technology organization spaces that allowed her to drive impact and system change with a keen
focus on equity for historically marginalized and minoritized students. She earned her Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from Northern Kentucky University (Highland Heights, KY), her Master’s of Science in Marketing from the University
of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH), and her bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Thomas More College (Merrimack, NH).
Brett Schraeder Managing Director EAB Altadena, CA
Brett Schraeder is the Managing Director of the Financial Aid division of EAB, a company that helps over 1,500 college and universities across the US recruit and retain students. Schraeder has worked at EAB for nine years, but before
that spent 20 years working for colleges recruiting students, often in underserved communities, most recently at Occidental College in Los Angeles (CA). He has written several articles and blog posts on how to encourage FAFSA submission and issues
related to students’ ability to complete the FAFSA. For the Advisory Task Force, he hopes to bring the college/university perspective to the table to better connect students to resources they need to attend college.
Jackie Shannon is the Scholarship Manager with the Maine Community Foundation (MaineCF), working with college-age and adult students looking to pursue higher education. MaineCF is the largest scholarship provider in Maine, with over 700
named scholarship funds and awarding nearly $4 million in scholarships each year.
Shannon earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine at Presque Isle, and her Master’s of Public Administration in nonprofit management from the University of Baltimore (Baltimore, MD). Prior to working at MaineCF, Shannon provided staff
training at a residential school for children with developmental disabilities.
Shannon lives in a very small town near the coast of Maine with her husband and teenage daughter, as well as an assortment of pets and farm animals. When she is not chauffeuring her daughter to her many social engagements and sporting events, she enjoys
winter sports, spending time with her animals, reading, and gardening.
As the Advancement and Communications Coordinator for the Virginia College Advising Corps, Blair Smith supports the organization's efforts to increase the number of first-generation, limited-income, and underrepresented students in Virginia who enter
and complete higher education. He previously served as a college advisor at a rural high school in Danville, VA through the Corps. As an advisor, he was recognized with the Laurie and Peter Grauer True North Award, given to one out of the national
College Advising Corps' more than 750 advisers across the country for excellence in service.
Smith graduated from the University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA) in 2021 with a major in Spanish and Political and Social Thought. In college, he interned with Enseña Perú, an education-focused nonprofit based in Lima, Peru, where he completed research
on school-based violence prevention strategies. He was awarded the John A. Herring Scholarship for Social Awareness, given each year to two University of Virginia students who demonstrate leadership, citizenship, and fellowship. In his free time,
he enjoys singing with The Washington Chorus in Washington, DC.
Madison Smith oversees the TOPS College Success Program at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County. This program serves over 1,000 students at more than 60 colleges and universities across the country that graduated from the AVID program
in Madison, WI. TOPS students receive academic coaching, financial support, and connections to different on and off campus resources.
A Rochester, MN native, Smith graduated with her bachelor's degree in Education from University of Wisconsin at Madison in 2017. After college, she went on to teach middle school for four years in Chicago (IL) Public Schools. When not working, you can
find her training for the Madison half marathon, playing with her four-year-old daughter and one-year-old son, or watching reality TV.
HectorTalavera is the Assistant Director of Scholarly Services at the University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg, MS), where he supports both new and current students to succeed in college. He coordinates various
events for scholars and student staff to support campus and community initiatives, making a positive impact on both Southern Mississippi and the Hattiesburg community. Talavera’s position also involves presenting and collaborating with various campus
officials and city partners.
As the coordinator of the Osceola McCarty Scholars program, he oversees the educational development of scholars by organizing presentations and workshops on topics that contribute to their academic success throughout the year. Additionally, Talavera regularly
works with parents, students, and staff to address scholarship concerns and needs, which allows him to witness the challenges families face when navigating the college experience.
He is particularly passionate about supporting first-generation students, especially those from Latino/a families, who face immense challenges from the admissions process to succeeding during college.
A native of Santa Clarita, CA, and a first-generation college graduate, Brionna Taylor has personally experienced the transformative power of education, which drives her passion for helping students succeed. She began her academic journey at Los Angeles
Southwest College (Los Angeles, CA) and later earned her bachelor’s degree in Business from Kansas State University (Manhattan, KS) in 2018. Taylor is currently pursuing her master’s degree in School Counseling to further equip herself to guide students
toward achieving their goals.
Being a College Access Specialist with Kansas City Public Schools, she serves low-income and underrepresented students in Kansas City, MO, helping them navigate the college and career process. As someone who has walked this path herself, Taylor is deeply
committed to making higher education accessible and equitable for all students. Every day, she strives to empower students to believe in their potential and take the necessary steps to achieve their goals.
A native of Jackson, MS, baseball was life growing up for Brian Thomas. He started his college journey at a local community college on a baseball scholarship. After a year of college baseball, he gave it up and transferred to a large public university
in Mississippi. Thomas then transferred his junior year to Belhaven University, a small, private, liberal arts college in Jackson (MS). He didn’t know his college “tour” would eventually aid in his college access work. He can tell students about the
differences between a two-year college, a large, four-year university, and a small, liberal arts college. Prior to working with WHEF/Get2College, Thomas had never touched a FAFSA. Now, he considers himself a FAFSA nerd and loves to geek-out with colleagues
going over various scenarios they encounter. He still lives in Jackson with his wife and daughters, ages 10 and six years old.
A passionate advocate for educational equity, BG Tucker has dedicated her career to empowering students to achieve their college aspirations. Tucker 's journey in education began as a Teach for America corps member, teaching Spanish in
Gary, IN. This experience ignited her passion for college access and success, leading her to become a founding college counselor at KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate in Massachusetts.
In 2016, Tucker moved to London to pursue US admission counseling abroad. She moved her family back to Minnesota, where she served as Director of College and Career Counseling at Venture Academy. Building on her passion for student success, Tucker now
serves as the Executive Director for College Possible Minnesota. Her extensive experience in program development, strategic planning, and team leadership has helped College Possible Minnesota support students across the state.
She holds a bachelor’s in Latin American Studies from Carleton College (Northfield, MN) and an M.Ed. from the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN). She resides in Minneapolis, MN, with her husband, Sam, and their two sons, Mac and Jack.
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Daniel Barkowitz
Tyler Guenette
Gerrick Hampton
Patti Harris
Ann Helfman
Ashley Lane-Barrett
Michael LeeYow
Rachel Livingston
Katie Lovera
Gina Moraida
Debbie Nguyen
Bijal Parikh
Kayla Ritter Rickels
Brett Schraeder
Jackie Shannon
Blair Smith
Madison Smith
Hector Talavera
Brionna Taylor
Brian Thomas
BG Tucker